Benedict Cumberbatch and Nicole Kidman win Whatsonstage Awards

Whatsonstage Awards – Winners 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch has won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Play while Nicole Kidman took home the award for Best Actress in a Play.

Cumberbatch who saw off stiff competition from James McAvoy, Bradley Cooper and Mark Rylance, received the award for his portrayal of the Danish prince in Hamlet which was directed by Lyndsey Turner at the Barbican last year.

Kidman won the Best Actress Award for playing scientist Rosalind Franklin in the UK premiere of Photograph 51, which was directed by Michael Grandage.

Imelda Staunton won Best Actress in a Musical for her critically acclaimed turn as Momma Rose in Chichester Festival Theatre’s West End transfer of Gypsy.

Matt Henry won Best Actor in a Musical for Kinky Boots which also won Best New Musical.

Judi Dench took home Best Supporting Actress in a Play for starring as Paulina in The Winter’s Tale. Kenneth Branagh, who is currently presenting a Season of Plays at the Garrick and co-directed Dench in The Winter’s Tale was also presented a special award: the Equity Award for Services to Theatre.

The 16th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards were announced on 21 February 2016 at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. The ceremony was hosted by Steve Furst with guest presenters and several performances from West End stars including Pixie Lott singing Moon River from her upcoming show Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Jenna Russell performed a song from Grey Gardens and Emma Williams and Tracie Bennett sang a duet from Mrs Henderson Presents.

2016 WhatsOnStage Award Winners in full:

Best Actor in a Play sponsored by Radisson Blu Edwardian:Winner: Benedict Cumberbatch, Hamlet James McAvoy, The Ruling Class Bradley Cooper, The Elephant Man Mark Rylance, Farinelli and the King Alex Hassell, Henry V

Best Actress in a Play:Winner:Nicole Kidman, Photograph 51 Denise Gough, People, Places and Things Lia Williams, Oresteia Rosalie Craig, As You Like It Harriet Walter, Death of a Salesman